NEW DELHI: Eleven suspected militants were killed in an intense gunfight with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the Jiribam area of Manipur on Monday, according to media reports citing official sources.
The clash took place at Jakurador Karong in the Borobekra sub-division, where militants had launched a series of attacks, setting shops on fire and targeting houses and a nearby Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp.
During the firefight, two CRPF personnel sustained injuries, with one in critical condition, officials said. The confrontation began after heavily armed militants initiated their assault, prompting an immediate response from the security forces.
Five civilians remain unaccounted for following the incident. Authorities are uncertain if they were abducted by militants or if they are in hiding.
The bodies of the slain militants were transported to the Borobekra police station, where investigations are ongoing to assess the full scale of the attack and track down any civilians who might be missing.
Earlier in the day, armed militants ignited tension in Jiribam by torching several shops in Borobekra sub-division, a locality that has experienced frequent clashes since violence erupted in June. The incident began around 2:30 pm when militants opened fire on the Borobekra police station before proceeding to the nearby Jakurador Karong area, where they engaged in further acts of arson.
Local officials reported a heavy exchange of gunfire between the militants and security forces, escalating the situation.
The Borobekra sub-division, which houses a relief camp within the police station premises, has been a hotspot for violence and multiple gun attacks in recent months.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions following the death of a 31-year-old woman in Zairon Hmar village last week, allegedly at the hands of armed miscreants, which has left the district on edge.
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